Schalk Brits may be in his final season of rugby but he still put on a masterclass peformance when the Aviva Premiership kicked off this past weekend. He played his part in the 55-24 dismantling of Northampton Saints, and at 36, doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Capped just ten times by South Africa, Brits must be recognised as one of the most talented rugby players to ever take the field. It’s unfortunate that we never saw more of him in World Cups and in big Test matches, but what was seen on Saturday was vintage Brits.
Post match, Northampton Saints opposite number Dylan Hartley was equally impressed: “We’re all different aren’t we? I wish I could do some of that stuff,” he said.
The former Springbok has had to reassure fans that this is indeed his final season, despite on Saturday looking like a man ten years his junior.
“I am 36 and it is time to say goodbye to this lovely game but there is still a season and my role is to play as best as I can and to help the other guys as well,” Brits explained, after he was persuaded by Mark McCall to continue, following some big name losses to the club.
“It has never been about the titles. It has always been about making memories with friends. A lot of people look at the end result and they determine their success by that.
“We determine it by progress and the amount of memories we have made and that is quite a different way of looking at it. That is what makes it quite different to the previous rugby organisations I have been involved with.
“It is time to sit back and have a beer, enjoy watching rugby and not just get bashed up. I had three operations in the off-season, so it is enough. This will definitely be my last season.”
Following the win, Sarries TV put together this compilation of his best moments in the game, including a sensational step and offload that set up a try for winger Sean Maitland
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